Alcoholic Hepatitis

What is alcoholic hepatitis?

Hepatitis is the inflammation of the liver. It results in liver cell damage and destruction. Alcoholic hepatitis is a complex problem and can lead to chronic liver disease and cirrhosis. If you develop alcoholic hepatitis and stop drinking, the inflammation is often reversible over time. However, if you already have cirrhosis, the liver disease can progress rapidly to liver failure.

What are the symptoms of alcoholic hepatitis?

The following are the most common symptoms of alcoholic hepatitis. However, each person may experience symptoms differently. Symptoms may include:

Abdominal tenderness or pain

Nausea

Vomiting blood or material that looks like coffee grounds

Spider-like blood vessels in the skin

Ascites--fluid build-up in the abdominal cavity

Poor appetite

Jaundice--yellowing of the skin and eyes

Dry mouth and feeling very thirsty

Weight loss

Fatigue

Feeling ill

The symptoms of alcoholic hepatitis may look like other medical conditions or problems. Always consult your doctor for a diagnosis.

How is alcoholic hepatitis diagnosed?

In addition to complete medical history and physical exam, diagnostic procedures for alcoholic hepatitis may include the following:

Specific lab blood tests, such as the following:

Liver function studies

Blood cell counts

Bleeding times

Electrolyte tests

Tests for other chemicals in the body

Computed tomography scan (CT or CAT scan). This imaging procedure combines X-rays and computer technology to produce horizontal, or axial, images (often called slices) of the body. A CT scan shows detailed images of any part of the body, including the bones, muscles, fat, and organs. CT scans are more detailed than general X-rays.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). MRI is a diagnostic procedure that combines large magnets, radio frequencies, and a computer to produce detailed images of organs and structures within the body. The person lies on a bed that moves into the cylindrical MRI machine. The machine takes a series of pictures of the inside of the body using a magnetic field and radio waves. The computer enhances the pictures produced. The test is painless, and does not involve exposure to radiation. Because the MRI machine is like a tunnel, some people are claustrophobic or unable to hold still during the test, and may be given a sedative to help them relax. Metal objects can't be present in the MRI room, so people with pacemakers or metal clips or rods inside the body can't have this test. All jewelry must be removed before the procedure.

Liver biopsy. A procedure in which tissue samples from the liver are removed (with a needle or during surgery) from the body for examination under a microscope.

Treatment for alcoholic hepatitis

Specific treatment for alcoholic hepatitis will be determined by your doctor based on:

Your age, overall health, and medical history

Extent of the disease

Your tolerance for specific medications, procedures, or therapies

Expectations for the course of the disease

Your opinion or preference

You may be admitted to the hospital or treated on an outpatient basis. Abstinence from alcohol is essential for reversing the hepatitis. This is a complex problem that may require an alcohol treatment program. There is no medication to cure alcoholic hepatitis. Treatment involves reducing the symptoms and halting the progression of the disease.